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Culture & History
The history of the land now known as Utah goes way back to the age of dinosaurs. Fossilized evidence is abundant in our state.
Utah's 1200 A.D. Puebloan cultures, the Ancestral Puebloan (sometimes known as Anasazi) and Fremont cultures, came later, and our lands are rich with evidence of their lives found in pictographs and petroglyphs panels – left behind on rock walls, as well as in the dwelling sites of their homes and villages. Other Native American cultures, Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone and Navajo continue to contribute to Utah's rich cultural heritage.
At the time of the American Revolution, Spanish priests explored and brought Christianity to some of the native populations. Trappers, mountain men and traders followed close behind. Then, in 1847, Mormon pioneers (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and established settlements throughout the intermountain west. Twelve years later, the first transcontinental railroad was completed in Utah at Golden Spike National Historic Site, and immigration to the region grew tremendously.
All of these early cultures wove, and many continue to weave, the tapestry that is Utah.
Discover More
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Dinosaurs & Paleontology
Explore Utah’s rich dinosaur history through its many museums and archeological dig sites dedicated to the prehistoric creatures.
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Ghost Towns in Utah
From the southern reaches of Grafton and up north to Thistle, these abandoned towns have left behind crumbling relics, memories and stories of another era.
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Mormon Heritage
In 1847, Brigham Young and the first party of Latter-day Saint (known as Mormon) emigrants reached the desolate Salt Lake Valley. Since that day, Mormon cultural and heritage has made Utah a unique place to visit, today, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members comprise about 60 percent of the state's population.
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National Historic Trails
Four National Historic Trails pass through Utah, recognizing routes of travel that are of national historic significance.
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Native Nations in Utah
Learn about the Native Nations influenced and shaped Utah. Find information about ancient habitation sites, art panels and museums.
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Utah Heritage Hot Spots
Every July 24, Utahns celebrate Pioneer Day with parades, fireworks and festivities that rival the 4th of July. The day honors 1847, when Mormon settlers first
History
"We simply need that wild country available to us... For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope."
– Wallace Stegner, “Crossing to Safety”
Read the Stories
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10 Places to Honor Women's History on Your Trip to Utah
Written by Lindy Callahan
Notable places you can visit where women have shaped history
Article
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A Confluence of Pioneer and Native American Heritage in Southwestern Utah
Written by Sarah Braun
5 minute read
Home to the historical Iron Mission, Cedar City’s rich pioneer heritage is encapsulated at the Frontier Homestead State Park.
Article
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Arrive by Train
Written by Tim Sullivan
15 minute read
Follow author Tim Sullivan and his eight-year-old daughter as they travel by train, bus and bike on a "pilgrimage" to Golden Spike National Historic Site.
Article
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Following the Markings of Native American History
This road trip across Utah to view ancient petroglyphs and pictographs will give you an incredible window into the past.
Article
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Journey Through Utah's History at This Is the Place Heritage State Park
Written by Matcha
This Is the Place Heritage State Park has a major place in Utah’s history — quite literally.
Article
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Temple Square: The Geographical and Musical Heart of Salt Lake
Written by Mitchell Reber
6 minute read
Learn more about Temple Square: The Geographical and Musical Heart of Salt Lake City and home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and their weekly performances.
Article
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The Ultimate Guide to Dinosaur Discovery While on a Trip to Utah
Written by Whitney Childers
8 minute read
Add a little dinosaur discovery to your Utah itinerary. Explore state-of-the-art museums and monuments for unforgettable prehistoric adventures.
Article
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Utah Heritage Hot Spots
Every July 24, Utahns celebrate Pioneer Day with parades, fireworks and festivities that rival the 4th of July. The day honors 1847, when Mormon settlers first
Article
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Utah’s Women Make History
Written by Darby Doyle
5 minute read
Walk in the footsteps of Utah’s earliest women’s suffrage leaders at sites throughout downtown Salt Lake City. Along the way, view public art installations commemorating voting rights and stop at trail-adjacent local women-owned businesses.
Article
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View Millions of Years of Geologic History in an Afternoon
Written by Ashley Mae Hoiland
5 minute read
Unlock new levels of understanding about the land you are traveling through, around and on by learning about the geology in Utah.
Article
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What Hasn’t Been Found
Written by Rosie Serago
9 minute read
Heritage, families and legends converge along the historic Pony Express route in Utah's West Desert.
Article

01
5 Days
Attagirl! Women’s History & Highlights
This five-day itinerary pairs Utah women's history and time for reflection with active adventure, beautiful scenery and instagrammable locations.
Arts, Glamping, History and Heritage, Wellness
Highlights
- Suffrage Walking Tour
- Thelma & Louise Filming Locations
- Capitol Reef Glamping

02
7 Days
History & Hoodoos
Just the national parks, ma'am. We get it. You're a bucket-lister with a checklist and a pen. We hope it has a lot of ink.
Hiking
Highlights
- The Mighty 5® national parks
- All-American Road Scenic Byway 12
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
- Dead Horse Point State Park

03
6 Days
Classic Westerns of the Silver Screen
From the alpine backwoods of Jeremiah Johnson to the sweeping vistas of Westworld and all the John Ford's in between, Utah is the place to travel for movie magic.
Film Tourism, History and Heritage, Road Trips
Highlights
- Westworld to Thelma and Louise
- John Ford Classics
- Gunsmoke to the Outlaw Josey Wales
- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid

04
4 Days
Golden Spike Empire
Participate in railroad history, bird migration and iconic earth art in the quiet stretches of Northern Utah's rural Box Elder County.
History and Heritage, Kid-Friendly
Highlights
- Historic Union Station
- Golden Spike National Historic Site
- Spiral Jetty
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

05
5 Days
Native Spirit
Countless generations of Native Americans have called the landscapes of Utah home, from the hunter-gatherers of the prehistoric era and the Ancestral Pueblos.
Highlights
- Nine Mile Canyon
- Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Navajo Fry Bread

06
7 Days
Trekking Along the Dinosaur Diamond Highway
Utah’s Dinosaur Diamond Highway is the perfect guide to experience ancient history, millions of years in the making.
Dinosaurs, Kid-Friendly, Road Trips
Highlights
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Jurassic National Monument
- San Rafael Swell
- Dead Horse Point State Park